Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein says the DOJ crack down on Washington leakers will not affect journalists who publish sensitive information unless the circumstances warrant it.

During an interview Sunday, Rosenstein defended the investigations saying he wants to stop the criminals from breaking the law.

He also said reporters do not normally get prison time for printing classified intelligence, but depending on the intent and sensitivity of the leak criminal charges could be filed against journalists.

“We have the same position on that as attorney general holder, and that is we don’t prosecute journalists for doing their job,” Rosenstein said. We look at the facts and circumstances of each case. And we determine whether it’s appropriate to hold them accountable for it. I don’t think you can draw a general line like that, but it depends on the facts and the circumstances. generally speaking reporters who publish information are not committing a crime but there might be a circumstance where they do. I haven’t seen any of those to date, but I wouldn’t rule it out.”

Attorney General Jeff Sessions has said his crack down will also review DOJ subpoena policies for journalists who publish leaked information.